Just hours before he scored the first Oscar nomination in his long career, Michael Keaton was linked to another interesting project. He is reportedly in talks to star in a movie about the founder of the McDonald’s fast food empire.
News of the casting was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The Founder, as it is currently titled, will tell the behind-the-scenes story of how McDonald’s came to be the international billion-dollar empire that it is today.
The script was written by Big Fan’s Robert Siegel and the film will be directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, Saving Mr. Banks). Jeremy Renner and Don Handfield’s shingle The Combine is producing with FilmNation.
THR’s sources say that Keaton met with Hancock on Monday and is in talks to play Ray Koc, a salesman who helped turn Mac and Dick McDonald’s restaurant into a fast food success.
Earlier today, Keaton was nominated for Best Actor for his role in Alejandro G. Inarritu’s Birdman. He also won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy for the film.
Keaton is still best known for playing Batman and , but his performance in Birdman reminded audiences that he does have the skills to play dark, dramatic roles.
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